Genre Collecting

[bargora]

It seems like the most common collecting model is to collect all carts (discs, etc.) for X system. Less often, you hear about collecting for only a genre within a system or across systems. For example, I like to collect shooting games. Who else here collects primarily within one or more genres, rather than trying to assemble a complete collection for a system or systems?

Also, for those of you who collect in a genre, what resources do you use to determine what goes in your collection? While it's usually not difficult to figure out the domestic releases, it can be a little harder if you also collect imports. In my case, I find that the "xenocide files" at http://www.classicgaming.com/shmups/ and the Shooter Database at http://www.starbase299.com/ (now online again) are a good resources.

How 'bout alla youse?

[Gus]

I collect strip mahjong games. :) I don't have to worry about choosing between domestic and import versions very often.

Also a sucker for anything that's excessively cute, or weird. Think Nitoshinden, Pocket Fighter, Keio Flying Squadron, Cotton, Puyo Puyo... parts of my collection could give you cavities from the surplus sugar. :)

[chadtower]

You need a copy of Toilet Kids! Great game.

[bargora]

You need a copy of Toilet Kids! Great game.
No shit...?
I have long dreamed of shooting flying turds and toilets. :2gunfire:

[chadtower]

You need a copy of Toilet Kids! Great game.
No shit...?
I have long dreamed of shooting flying turds and toilets. :2gunfire:

It's one of my very favorites... :puke:

[Kroogah]

Bemani and music games, of course. ^_^

[ClubNinja]

While much of my collecting is based on the entire library of a given system, I do have a sub-collection of fighters. Mostly 2D, but 3D is allowed into the fold as well.

There are two key factors that I consider when possibly adding a game into that collection. First, I only do Dreamcast and back, which eliminates PS2, XBox, GameCube, and even GBA stuff. Second, the fighting must be tournament-style, with power bars, special moves, and all that jazz. Beat em ups like Double Dragon don't count (though I have lots of those as well.) I should keep track of how many I have, but I don't. Crossing into imports has really made the whole concept scary though - tons and tons of fighters (some very very good ones) fall into the import category. While many of them can be had on the Neo Geo, I can't afford to bother with that beast yet, so Saturn imports are pretty much the only way to go.

Also, I have a pretty large selection of hockey titles, and I just keep adding them. Least expensive collecting goal ever!

I have sub-collections of Sonic and Mega Man, too, but they don't really count as genres, do they? ;)

[Atari7800]

Another shooter fan!!!

I recentlly completed a genre-specific goal... collect ALL the shooting games for the Sega Saturn. Corridor shooters like Quake didn't make the list, nor did gun shooters. Just 2-D (Radiant Silvergun), track-based pseudo 3-D with sprites (Afterburner), track-based psuedo 3-D with polygons (Panzer Dragoon), and true 3-D shooters (Wing Arms) plus a few oddities like puzzle/shooting hybrids (Twinkle Star Sprites), classics (Tempest), platform shooters (Metal Slug), and Mech 3-d shooters (Gun Griffon.)

I'm pretty sure I got all of them... took a hell of a lot of research. Some of the folks on this board were really helpful and told me about several that I had missed (like G-Vector, Night Striker S, and Tukaii Slot Shooting)

I also collected all the Capcom fighting games for the Saturn. Did you know that the horrid Final Fight Revenge was the only 3-D fighting game Capcom ever did for the Saturn?

[girth305]

I am definitely a shmup fan. I collect them for a bunch of systems. I have been playing the crap out of ikaruga on GC. I also collect nes games. It seems I can't have enough nes carts stacked in my room to be happy, hahha. In terms of Genres I can't think of many others that I actively collect for, though I think puzzle would be a neat one to get into.

[Steven J. Lumas]

I collect young girls (female gender)! I have 7 right now. No, wait, 6. Ernestine escaped.

[hydr0x]

mainly systems but also genres, but i do collect genres first because i know it will take me too long to complete a system and so i collect rpg's first, then shooters, then jump&run or whatever to achieve full system piece for piece :)

[scooterb23]

Bowling games...I'm an absolute sucker for bowling games...I need to find the two really horrible bowling games for Game Boy Color...and I need to get back a copy of 3d Pro Bowl for PC (that one was sooooo wretched...I returned it the next day.)

[Oobgarm]

I love picking up racing games and golf games. Side scrolling shumps are also excellent in my book.

[jaydubnb]

It seems like the most common collecting model is to collect all carts (discs, etc.) for X system. Less often, you hear about collecting for only a genre within a system or across systems. For example, I like to collect shooting games. Who else here collects primarily within one or more genres, rather than trying to assemble a complete collection for a system or systems?

Also, for those of you who collect in a genre, what resources do you use to determine what goes in your collection? While it's usually not difficult to figure out the domestic releases, it can be a little harder if you also collect imports. In my case, I find that the "xenocide files" at http://www.classicgaming.com/shmups/ and the Shooter Database at http://www.starbase299.com/ (now online again) are a good resources.

How 'bout alla youse?

No shootie fan should be without the Xenocide Files...great site :) It helped me discover lots of shooties I didnt even know existed, mainly because they were Japan only.

But to the topic: I focus mostly on shooters and 2D fighters. When it comes to shooters, I've been focusing on all systems and right now, in particular, Genny/Mega Drive and PCE stuff. After readinig about how the NES version of Lifeforce was a remixed version of the arcade game, I've become obsessed with getting the Salamander Deluxe pack for the Saturn which has the TRUE Lifeforce I blew sooo much money on as a kid.


For fighters, I'm focusing on the NEO*GEO right now. I loving King of the Fighters 98 right about now (was playing it in an arcade this weekend) and I'm thinking of getting the home cart.

Between these two genres I have a few scattered run and gun games like Contra and Gunstar Heroes -- lol I guess I just cant stop blowing shiz up :)

I LIkEZ mE GaMEz GO BOOM BOOM!

[josekortez]

I collect fighting games, shooters, and puzzle games if they're in my price range. I have most of the ones for the Dreamcast, PS1, and later consoles, and I'll buy them for the 16-bit systems when I see them. I need to purchase the Sorcerer's Maze and Puzznic PS1 games the next time I see them.

Also, I'd like to own all the domestic titles for the Dreamcast (excluding Sonic Adventure: LE, which I won't lose any sleep over if I don't get it). It's my favorite system of all time.

If I had to say I'm hunting for something in particular, it would have to be extremely cheap titles for the modern systems. I noticed that my heart starts beating extremely fast when I find a $4.99 game for GameCube, Xbox, or PS2. But cheapo games can't be categorized as a genre, can it?

[RetroYoungen]

I'm not a big fighting game fan, but I've found I can't get enough of them on the NGPC. MotM, Gals Fighters, KoF R-2, and as many others as I can get my hands on.

[Nick Goracke]

Genre collecting is my main focus. IMO, just buying up games because you can is sorta pointless (unless you're aiming for a "complete" system collection - I see the draw there), so I stick to my favorites. I've got just about every domestically released Japanese RPG and shooter. I also make a point to pick up all the quality Japanese-only releases in these 2 genres (trying for a complete collection is just too much).

Beyond that, I ONLY pick up games in other genres that I love playing. I make a concious effort not to pick up titles just because they're cheap, etc...

[Balloon Fight]

I like to collect for complete systems, but i do like to collect weird platform/action games. (Rocket Knight Adventures and Dynamite Headdy spring to mind.)
I am also a HUGE fighting game fan, and am going to start up on amassing a good set. :)

[evilmess]

I'm just starting my collection(s) (SNES/SFC and Genesis) but thanks to sites like classicgaming.com/shmups/ and starbase299.com I've been bitten by the shmups bug and I'm a sucker for cute games starring cute characters like twin bees, kirby, mega man, mario and of course sonic.

So, I'm kinda bouncing around between those two categories for the most part.

[buttasuperb]

I collect 2D Fighters and Shooters, more specifically 2D fighters and shooters for MVS or CPS2. Actually I pretty much only buy stuff for those 2 systems these days. I just discovered Magical Drop 3 for the MVS, most addictive puzzle game I've ever played, fast paced, digital crack. Recommended to the puzzle fans, whether it be on MVS or MAME. 2 player is most fun though.

I will one day own every CPS2 cart put out in the US market. It's the only complete collection I'm trying to get.

[maxlords]

Yeah....I'm a genre collector too. Sure, I have a bit of stuff outside the genre, but mainly I collect:

Shmups (And yeah, Xenocide files RULES!)
RPGs (US only, and only ones I like)
Dodgeball games (I'm a dodgeball WHORE!)
Puzzle games (for my wife mostly)

I also buy the occasional platformer or beat em up. That's about everything.

[jaydubnb]

Yeah....I'm a genre collector too. Sure, I have a bit of stuff outside the genre, but mainly I collect:

Shmups (And yeah, Xenocide files RULES!)
RPGs (US only, and only ones I like)
Dodgeball games (I'm a dodgeball WHORE!)
Puzzle games (for my wife mostly)

I also buy the occasional platformer or beat em up. That's about everything.

Are there many dodgeball games? The ones that immediately come to mind are the Kunio games....

[maxlords]

Dodgeball games (I'm a dodgeball WHORE!)


Are there many dodgeball games? The ones that immediately come to mind are the Kunio games....

There are a good handful:

Kunio Dodgeball (PC Engine/Famicom)
Super Dodge Ball (US NES...same as Famicom Kunio)
Super Dodgeball (Neo Geo MVS)
All Star Slammin' D-Ball (PSX)
Dodge Danpei Dodgeball (PC Engine Dodgeball RPG...wish I could read it!)
Dodge Danpei Dodgeball (Mega Drive Jp....hard game!)
Super Dodge Ball Advance (GBA)

Those are all of the ones I KNOW of. Though as you can see, 4 of those are Kunio ones (NES, PCE, GBA, and MVS). I think there are at least a couple more out there....I surely hope there are! :D

[bargora]

I probably should have mentioned previously that I also like to collect arcade game compilations. And lately I've been picking up all of the mech shooter games that I see. I hadn't realized what a prolific genre that was! As with any other genre, it's interesting to see how the genre has evolved from the earliest days.

As I have no ambitions to complete a collection for any particular system, the only time I really feel like a video game museum curator (where do I put in my job application?) is when I'm looking back at the evolution of a genre across systems and time.

[downfall]

I guess this topic proves why I can never find any good shooters to add to my shooter collection. LOL

Personally, my favorite "genre" collection has to be my Picross collection - I just need to find another complete Mario's Super Picross for a non-absurd price (I've had a few already, but I can't seem to keep them), and I'll have all 3 of 'em complete!

[goatdan]

Interesting that you dug this thread out today. I was planning on doing a poll on the same thing (and still am, actually :) )... I would actually venture a guess that most of the people here don't collect exclusively for completion. For most systems, there are simply too many games and especially too many really rare games.

[Immutable]

I'm into the puzzle games, FC titles especially. I also used to be heavily interested in fighting (platform and head-to-head) games back in the 90s.

[MacNes]

I mainly collect nes but when it comes to a genre, shumps are my main focus.

[MeatPopsicle]

I collect a little bit of everything - O2, Atari 2600, NES, SNES, N64, Genesis, and PS1.
As far as games I like to play, I used to really get into the RPGs, but I haven't had enough time the past several months to really get into them. Lately I have picked up quite a few racing games - mainly for the N64 and PS1.

[Daria]

RPGs for all systems.

I own other genres too, just because I enjoy playing certain games but I never count them as part of my collection. I actually store those games in a bin under my bed. I don't go for japanese only RPGs unless it's part of series I really love and then I might buy the game for display or if it wasn't released here at all to complete the series. I try and stick to American releases only but will buy European exclusives if that's the only way to own the game in english (ex. teranigma), I also have a couple PAL mega drive games just because they will play on my genny and I liked the art work for that release better. But that's an extreme exception.

*thinks*

So yeah collect RPGs only, which means I have fewer games then just about everyone else here, but like most of them are more expensive then your average NES or Atari cart so it evens out.

[Endiga]

Survival horror/horror in general.

As one might guess from looking at my game collection (as well as my DVD collection) I have a definite affinity for horror, and this translates into horror taking up most of my money.

This also translates into my buying crappy games and filling my shelves with them. Ah well.

This is a good source for such games, by the way. (http://www.dreamdawn.com/sh/)

[Ed Oscuro]

It seems like the most common collecting model is to collect all carts (discs, etc.) for X system. Less often, you hear about collecting for only a genre within a system or across systems.
I know a couple fellows (Shin Morgoth, Boodreign) who seem to be primarily shooter fans (outside of Castlevania!)

Actually, I think that collecting *all* carts is - should be! - a less common model than collecting only certain types of games. I restrict myself more or less to person-based action games like Contra, Castlevania, Gain Ground or Smash TV/Gauntlet-alikes, with some shooters (Battle Mania). I'm not quite so big on platformers (Dino City and Marvel Land come to mind though), but they're alright. Scrolling fighters are another favorite - I'm thinking King of the Monsters 2: The New Thing, Undercover Cops (HEY), and Comix Zone.

I like scrolling shooters (lightgun games, Dynamite Duke/GI Joe style/Operation Wolf/Freedom Force or Gotcha! The Game) in general; but I haven't collected them much.

I'm also a sucker for cheap Super Famicom fighters...not sure why, because they usually aren't very good, and I suck at them anyway.

Old fashioned spaceship shooters are awesome - I'm a fan of Dangerous Seed, need to pick up a copy sometime.

I spend a lot of time with the various third person polygonal games that have come out - Zelda 64 and Resident Evil 2 for example. Genre doesn't really matter so much, though survival horror's nifty.

I also try to pick up any game which is halfway decent that's about Ninjas. There are a few bad 'uns, but they're mostly great stuff.

I generally don't buy sports games. Why toss a ball around when you can make things explode? I don't think poorly of those who do like these games, though - you need a fair bit of knowledge and imagination to really get the most enjoyment out of a football game (especially the older ones).

[jezt]

I try to collect the deffinitive series for every system I have. For example, I have all the mario games for the NES, SNES, N64, and GC. F zero, Star Fox, and LOZ are part of the fold too. I love being able to jump from system to system with them.
I am also a sucker for Street fighter and Mortal Kombat. I now have em all, once SF alpha one and two come in the mail for my saturn.

just this past saturnday, I bought MK 4, which completes my MK collection. SOmetimes, I will display a series in a space on one of my shelves. It looks kinda cool having a little mini shrine of say, LOZ. It also helps me to look back at all the trouble I went to to get all this stuff.

[howdoin]

I have mini collections like :

- games from Wolfteam
- Puzzle Bobble games
- Delphine Software release

The only console I do collect for is the Virtual Boy and I pretty much gave up on Virtual Bowling, Gundam, Virtual Lab and Space Invaders... too expensive for me (unless I can get a better paying job I'll never spend more than $100 for a game).